Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Japan’s Matsuoka excited to face club teammate Oh in Korea Republic face-off

Tashkent: For Japan’s Daiki Matsuoka, there is a lot to look forward to after Japan breezed 3-0 past Tajikistan in their final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D tie at the Bunyodkor Stadium on Thursday. 

Goals from Kuryu Matsuki, Kein Sato, and Taika Nakashima meant Japan finished second behind Saudi Arabia in the group to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash against arch rivals Korea Republic. 

For Matsuoka, that itself promises to be a surreal experience. 

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Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Uzbekistan 2022 Quarter-final cast finalised

Tashkent: The quarter-final cast for the AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 was finalised following the conclusion of Group D on Thursday.

All four former champions advanced, with two teams who finished runners-up previously, a side who were third two years ago and a debutant joining them.

Group D: Japan defeat Tajikistan to set up Korea Republic showdown

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Group D: Japan defeat Tajikistan to set up Korea Republic showdown

Tashkent: Japan advanced to the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-finals after a 3-0 win over Tajikistan to finish second in Group D on Thursday.

Japan will face defending champions Korea Republic in the last eight with Group D winners Saudi Arabia - who defeated United Arab Emirates 2-0 - to play Vietnam in Sunday's quarter-finals.

Group D: Saudi Arabia beat UAE to seal top spot

Fri, 10 Jun, 2022

Group D: Saudi Arabia beat UAE to seal top spot

Tashkent: Saudi Arabia finished as the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 Group D winners with a 2-0 win over United Arab Emirates on Thursday.

After a goalless first 45 minutes at the Lokomotiv Stadium, Aiman Yahya and Saud Abdulhamid provided the goals as Saudi Arabia finished ahead of Japan, who beat Tajikistan 3-0, on goal difference.

The win sets Saudi Arabia up with an exciting quarter-final clash against Vietnam on Sunday, with Japan to play defending champions Korea Republic. 

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hwang expects a more clinical Korea Republic in knockout stage

Tashkent: Korea Republic secured their AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022 quarter-final spot after edging Thailand 1-0 at the Pakhtakor Stadium on Wednesday but head coach Hwang Sun-hong believes there is plenty of room for improvement. 

Go Jae-hyeon’s 35th-minute strike sealed the win for the defending champions against a resolute Thailand, who were also in the running for a knockout stage berth, and Hwang congratulated his players for achieving their target with Korea Republic topping Group C on seven points. 

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Thu, 09 Jun, 2022

Hai Long eyes more playing time after helping Vietnam into quarter-finals

Tashkent: Nguyen Hai Long was trusted by head coach Gong Oh-kyun to start Vietnam’s final AFC U23 Asian Cup™ Uzbekistan 2022  Group C tie against Malaysia on Wednesday and the midfielder repaid the faith in him by producing a player of the match performance.

Although Hai Long did not get on the scoresheet, he played a pivotal role in Vietnam’s 2-0 win which saw the 2018 runners-up finishing second behind Korea Republic to advance to the quarter-finals at Thailand’s expense.

Boosted by his performance, the 21-year-old is now hoping for more playing time as Vietnam look to extend their Uzbekistan 2022 adventure, with the Group D winners their opponents in the quarter-finals.